A new archaeological site for Athens: the Lyceum of Aristotle

The
archaeological findings of the Lyceum of Aristotle discovered about 14
years ago in Rigillis street, during construction works for the Museum of Contemporary Art Basil
and Elise Goulandris. Since then, the place was left to the
mercy of the weather and the indifference of politicians. The philosophical school operated during the ancient times until the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian.

Up to now, archaologist brought to light a narrow room, which according to the excavator Efi Lygkouri, was the library. There are also some remnants of the Palaestra (part of the school used for gymnastics), The rectangular courtyard is surrounded on three sides by galleries accompanied by two
other rectangulars, which are developed on both sides. In these places one could find the baths, while the left and right was
(a space where athletes were anointed with oil), the (place where the athletes put in their body powder or sand) and . The installation of the high school spread over a much greater extent than it is today.

the elaiothesiokonistiriothe Korykeion

After
many years of excavations, glorious declarations and an unacceptable delay
in regeneration works, finally the enhancement of the site will continue without the expensive and
grandiose roof. The Ministry of Culture uses the sponsorship given by OPAP of 4 million.The initial study involved the creation of a roof the height of which would be 12 meters. Steel and glass would cover the site at a cost of 400,000 Euros. However the new study (presented at the museum by scholars Dimitri
Koutsogiannis and Dimitri Koukoulas) includes three small sheds of metal and glass which
obscure only the vulnerable parts of the excavation. The interior of the
building, a semi open space of the peristyle and the atrium courtyardwill be shaded as well.

The D.
Koutsoyiannis said: "We want the Palaestra to be visible and recognizable for the pedestrians of Ringilis street. This is the reason why we are not planting trees along the street''.

The goal is to give the visitor the sense of natural space as it was during antiquity.

The site will have access to Queen Sophia Avenue, after a small adjustment of the current one, which will move 22m. south. Access
will be permitted only in the heart of the Palaestra, through the two
ramps put in the same locations were the ancient entrances to the site
used to be.

A
small building with an atrium area will be built and the rest will
united through trails with the eastern part of the garden of the
Byzantine Museum.

The study projects involve extensive planting and lighting. The
project cost will not exceed 1.5 million euros, while the remaining 2.5
million of the sponsorship will be used for the planting of the garden of the
Byzantine museum and the restoration works of the ''Duchess of Placentia'' building.

The
project will start immediately as the first amount of the sponsorship is
expected on 15 October and the archaeological site is estimated to be ready
for visits in about a year.

The
completion of this project will allow downtown Athens to become a single
space of 36 acres of culture and walking, which will provide nice green spaces and recreation
for all ..